Expert: Marilyn - 7/2/2008

Question
Hey Marilyn??

How are you?? I guess the title on te subject should say it all, Is Mary A Perpetual Virgin??  

There are some that argue that Mary had oher children as per the Bible but, also in the Bible it clearly shows when Jesus is on the cross dying, he gives his mother over to John if I am not mistaken, I hope you can shed some light o this.

Blessings and Thanks in advance,

Junior

Answer
Hello Junior, always great to hear from you;

Mary was a virgin when she conceived the Lord Jesus by the Word of God.  She did not remain a virgin her entire life.  

The word, "adelophoi," brother, and "adelopi," sister, is used in the passages speaking of Jesus' “brothers” and “sisters.”  These words are later also used to describe "brothers and sisters" in Christ, again specifically defined by context, just as in English I have a brother and sister and I have brothers and sisters in Christ.

The context of the following passage is of Jesus preaching in His hometown.  The people were amazed, because to them Jesus was just another guy.  Matthew 13:55, "Is not this the carpenter's Son?  Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas?"  Later, the Bible clearly says that Mary is the mother of James and Joses, Matthew 27:56.  In these cases the word "adelophoi" is used, not the word for "cousin" or some other word.  

Matthew 1:24 & 25, "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus."  

During those days, Jewish men might arrive at any time, day or night, to claim their betrothed, hence the parable of the virgins with their lamps.  The bride-to-be had to be ready to go at any moment.  After the angel assured Joseph he might take Mary as his wife, he went and fetched her, though it was probably the middle of the night.  "But he had no union with her UNTIL she gave birth to a son..."  The Amplified Bible says, "...he had no union with her as her husband until she had borne her first-born Son, and he called His name Jesus."  The King James says, "And he knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son; and he called His name Jesus."  "Knew" here, meaning in the sense of making love.  

While the idea that Mary might be equivalent to God, that she was sinless, herself borne of a virgin and living a life of perpetual virginity, is appealing, I can find no Scriptural evidence to back this view.  In fact, the evidence proves to the contrary.

Sincerely,

Marilyn